More than 3,000 police officers have been mobilized by the South Sudan National Police Service in anticipation of Christmas. The deployment, spanning Juba city, aims to curb criminal activities in the lead-up to, during, and after the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, Police spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Justin emphasized that these forces are committed to ensuring security throughout the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Maj. Gen. Justin explained, “As we approach Christmas, we convened our forces yesterday, briefed them, and strategically deployed them across the entire city, especially in key sectors. This deployment is a proactive measure to reinforce our ground forces. I also communicated with the public, emphasizing that this deployment is for their safety, and their cooperation is vital.”
Expressing optimism, Maj. Gen. Justin conveyed his hope that the public would collaborate with the security forces to uphold a secure and peaceful environment during the festive season.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF Spokesman, has announced the deployment of joint security personnel in areas identified as hotspots to combat banditry.
He clarified, “As Christmas and New Year approach, we are reinforcing security measures within and around Juba. Joint security presence is being heightened in neighbourhoods known for criminal activities. Rock City, in particular, has been identified as an insecurity hotspot, along with certain areas of Hai Mauna notorious for rifle gang activity. This is a proactive effort to ensure a safe and conducive environment for our people to celebrate Christmas and New Year.”
Parmena Thondit Majok, a resident of Juba, expressed support for the increased security presence in the city. She commented, “In my opinion, the protection happening within the city is beneficial because many people are carrying weapons in their cars, including unnecessary ones not sanctioned by the government. However, the challenge is the intense heat, which is causing traffic congestion around the city.”
Parmena explained, “The movement restrictions are currently stringent, and although I personally find it inconvenient, I understand it aligns with the government’s policy. The government aims to control the possession of unauthorized weapons, which is a prevalent issue. Many individuals are carrying weapons without proper authorization.”
In addition, joint security forces are implementing heightened visibility policing and confidence-building patrols. These efforts extend to church areas, residential neighbourhoods, and other public spaces. The objective is to deter any potential infiltration by hostile elements, ensuring the safety of these areas during the festive season.
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